74 INTERVIEW WITH THE KING OP THE JOLOPFS, 
offer to the king, the door was latched. After the customary 
sahitations, I seated myself on a plank, and amused myself by 
surveying the ceiling of this thatched palace, covered with 
soot and cobwebs. Four muskets composed its principal orna- 
ments. The Bourb-Joloffs was reclining on a bed of rushes ; 
I presented him with a grain of amber and ten heads of 
tobacco. The king consulted a long time with his favourite 
what present he should make me ; he then searched in the 
coffers which were near him for something which would be 
most likely to please me, and at the same time to shew his 
munificence. At length he presented me with a pair of 
stirrups, which I accepted. He did not, however, return me 
any positive answer respecting a guide. The custom of these 
kings and even of the Negro chiefs, is to make those who 
solicit a favour, wait a long time for their decision ; hoping 
by these means to obtain fresh presents. 
I returned to my hut exceedingly chagrined at this delay. 
Some minutes afterwards, I received a message from the king, 
who again sent for me : his court was this day more noisy than 
usual. The persons who were present spoke very loud. They 
disputed ; they threatened one another ; I did not know the 
meaning of this bustle, at which I began to be alarmed, when 
I perceived the courtiers trying to divert the monarch, some 
by their jokes, and others by relating to him what they had 
learned respecting my mode of life. The king seated me by 
his side, and examined with attention every part of my dress. 
